Food Recipe Collections & Favorites Desserts 10 Delicious Mini Desserts That Don't Require Any Baking Spoil your sweet tooth, save on calories—it's a win-win. By Betty Gold Betty Gold Betty Gold is the former senior digital food editor at Real Simple. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on April 24, 2023 Close Photo: Flourishing Foodie Three-scoop ice cream cones are indisputably great, and we'd rarely turn down a full-sized summer dessert. But have you ever had a miniature chocolate-covered drumstick (or three)? These mini desserts are perfectly portioned for an afternoon treat or a post-dinner dessert. Better yet, why not make them all and set up a teeny-tiny dessert bar? Kids and adults alike will get a kick out of their crave-worthy cuteness. And with no baking required, the following treats make the perfect snack for a hot summer day. Whether you're in the mood for a mini waffle sandwich or a two-bite baked Alaska, we have got you covered. 01 of 10 Mini Choco Tacos Spoon Fork Bacon If a sighting of the ice cream truck is a rarity in your neighborhood or you just want a smaller portion of a classic treat, whip up this mini choco taco right in your own kitchen. All you need is a waffle iron, some ice cream (store-bought or homemade), and chocolate chips. Get the recipe: Mini Choco Tacos 02 of 10 Individual Ice Cream Cakes Sarah Hearts When a full-size ice cream cake is a bit too much for a small at-home celebration, let these miniature versions stand in. Since each "cake" is made using a muffin tin, you can swap in other flavors of ice cream (cookie dough! salted caramel! rocky road!) to suit everyone's taste preferences. How sweet is that? Get the recipe: Individual Ice Cream Cakes 03 of 10 Mini Ice Cream Waffle Sandwiches Flourishing Foodie Waffles don't have to be relegated to breakfast. Everyone knows they're so much better with a big scoop of ice cream. Impress dinner guests with the ultimate after-dinner treat by sandwiching creamy vanilla ice cream and tangy fruit compote between two Belgian waffles. Get the recipe: Mini Ice Cream Waffle Sandwiches 04 of 10 Frozen Yogurt Fruit Bark Courtney's Sweets What's better than healthy food disguised as dessert? Adding fresh fruit to regular or Greek yogurt makes it easy to satisfy a sweet tooth, without adding any candy or other sugar-laden options. Use a medley of tropical fruit, opt for all berries, or play around to create your own combination of flavors—you can't go wrong. Get the recipe: Frozen Yogurt Fruit Bark 05 of 10 Mini Baked Alaskas Dessert for Two This dinner party-worthy dessert technically requires you to bake a cake for the base, but buying a store-bought version will give yourself (and your oven) a much-needed break. Once the base is prepped, add a dollop of sorbet, then surround the scoop with meringue, and brulée away. Get the recipe: Mini Baked Alaskas 06 of 10 Chocolate-Almond Frozen Banana Bites A tiny version of a favored carnival snack, these frozen banana bites are more manageable when you're craving a little something sweet to hold you over until dinner. Almond butter (or any nut butter you like) is sandwiched between two slices of bananas and then rolled in a duo of crushed almonds. Get the recipe: Chocolate-Almond Frozen Banana Bites 07 of 10 Homemade Mini Ice Cream Drumsticks Just a Taste With this homemade mini version of a store-bought dessert, parents don't have to feel as guilty about giving the kids a post-supper sugar fix. Make a big batch (this recipe makes 24 mini cones) on a Sunday, and you'll be set for at least a week or two. Get the recipe: Homemade Mini Ice Cream Drumsticks 08 of 10 Chocolate-Covered Strawberries Getty Images Chocolate-covered strawberries aren't just for Valentine's Day. And on a hot summer day, there's no oven required—all you need is a microwave. Not to mention, this tiny treat is packed with healthy strawberries (our favorite). Get the recipe: Chocolate-Covered Strawberries 09 of 10 Ice Cream S'mores Tom Schierlitz Few activities are more satisfying than pressing ice cream and marshmallow fluff between graham crackers and dipping it in chocolate. Then all you need to do is put it in the freezer until the chocolate sets! Get the recipe: Ice Cream S'mores 10 of 10 Mexican Fried Ice Cream Jen Causey This treat isn't actually fried, though you do sauté the panko crumbs to make them golden. Then mix in sugar, cinnamon, and salt, and roll scoops of ice cream in it. Top it off with a drizzle of honey, and you've got a lighter version of the popular Mexican dessert. Get the recipe: Mexican Fried Ice Cream 12 Easy Recipes That Will Keep You Cool and Hydrated Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit